Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

teju

noun
te·​ju | \ təˈzhü\
variants: or less commonly tegu \ -​ˈgü \
plural -s

Definition of teju

: any of several large blackish South American lizards of the genus Tupinambis (family Teiidae) that have yellow or white bands across the back, grow to a length of about three feet, often raid hen roosts, and are hunted as pests and for their flesh which is regarded as a delicacy

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for teju

Portuguese tejú, teiú, from Tupi & Guarani tejú, teyú

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about teju

Dictionary Entries near teju

teize

Tejano

Tejidae

teju

Tekakwitha

tekiah

Tekintsi

Statistics for teju

Look-up Popularity

Comments on teju

What made you want to look up teju? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

comprise

Listen to the pronounciation of comprise

to be made up of

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Where in the World? A Quiz

  • peter bruegel tower of babel painting
  • What language does pajama come from?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games